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Military Veterans

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Military veterans—individuals who complete military service whether at home or deployed overseas, in peacetime or in combat—are entitled to and in some cases require various government services. RAND research has examined the physical and mental health, interpersonal relationships, and employment problems that U.S. military veterans and their families face, and has recommended policies to support veterans' reintegration into civilian life.

A decade of research at RAND has sought to focus the national conversation about suicide in general, and veteran suicide in particular, around solutions that work. The overwhelming message: We could do more to save the lives of veterans like Daniel Somers. Here is his story.

Almost a third of U.S. veterans live 40 miles or more from the nearest VA medical center, so the VA is trying to make it easier for them to use private providers closer to home. But it will take significant efforts to better prepare civilian doctors to deliver high-quality care to veterans.

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RAND researchers conducted a systematic review that synthesized evidence from trials of meditation interventions to provide estimates of their efficacy and safety in treating adults diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder.

Discusses the results of a new approach to develop an improved crosswalk between Army military occupational specialties (MOSs) and civilian occupations, highlighting ten of the Army's most populous combat and noncombat MOSs.

A high proportion of airmen injured in combat experience mental health issues. And 15 percent of those surveyed were unemployed. Recovery and reintegration are likely to take a long time. This will require ongoing program evaluation and continuous efforts to improve program offerings.

RAND is supporting the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in its efforts to advance a Culture of Health, with the goal of enabling all Americans to lead healthier lives, now and for generations to come. Realizing this vision will require a national paradigm shift from a medical care-centric view of health toward one that focuses on wellbeing.

Too few of the veterans who experience mental health issues get the help they need. Even fewer get the right care. Closing these gaps will require raising awareness about the barriers to care, and changing how the mental health care system is organized and delivers services.

RAND Europe was commissioned by the Forces in Mind Trust to conduct a systematic review to develop a better understanding of the evidence base around four themes associated with the transition into civilian life for UK Service leaver families.

RAND Europe was commissioned by the Forces in Mind Trust to conduct a systematic review to develop a better understanding of the evidence base around four themes associated with the transition into civilian life for UK Service leaver families.

The number of returning veterans is expected to grow to 4.2 million over the next decade. This robust talent pool can be an asset to the civilian workforce. Investments in translating veterans' skills, certification and licensing, and comprehensive career counseling can improve this transition.

While the aim of veteran employment programs is to help veterans transition to civilian jobs, their impact is unclear. RAND hosted two workshops to recommend improvements to veteran employment opportunities and identify research gaps.

To help Hill staffers make the most of the Congressional recess, RAND has developed a list of must-read research and commentaries that will help ensure policymakers will return ready to hit the ground running.

The VA is considering expanding the role of nurse practitioners in order to provide veterans timely access to primary care services. Research has shown that nurse practitioners working in collaborative settings can provide high-quality care.

Military members who visited a primary care clinic while suffering from PTSD and depression reported fewer symptoms and better mental health functioning a year after enrolling in a treatment program that included specially trained care managers and telephone therapy options.

The Veterans Choice program was designed to expedite veterans' access to health care and relieve pressure on the VA system. Before making the program permanent, the VA should better understand its effectiveness.

The transition from military service to the civilian world can be challenging, especially for veterans with no prior civilian work experience and those with injuries or disabilities. A decade of research addressing these veterans' issues is summarized in ten questions and answers.

A concise reference card that identifies many of the skills that transitioning service members and veterans have learned in professional military training programs serves as a resource for leaders and hiring managers.

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Researcher Spotlight

Senior Behavioral Scientist

Terri Tanielian is a senior behavioral scientist and a nationally recognized expert on military and veteran health. Her areas of interest include military and veterans health policy; military suicide; military sexual assault; psychological effects of combat, terrorism, and disasters. She has led…

Senior Behavioral Scientist

Karen Chan Osilla is a senior behavioral scientist and clinical psychologist at the RAND Corporation and a member of the Pardee RAND Graduate School faculty. She has been involved in over a dozen clinical trials evaluating cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing (web and…

RAND Policy Currents

The RAND Corporation is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest.